Ask Slashdot: Finding an IT Job Without a Computer-Oriented Undergraduate Degree 504
An anonymous reader writes "Contrary to what many individuals think, not everybody on Slashdot went to college for a computer-related degree. Graduating in May of this year, my undergraduate degree will be in psychology. Like many undergraduate psychology students, I applied to a multitude of graduate programs but, unfortunately, was not given admission into a single one. Many are aware that a bachelor's degree in psychology is quite limiting, so I undoubtedly have been forced into a complicated situation. Despite my degree being in psychology, I have an immense interest in computers and the typical 'hard science' fields. How can one with a degree that is not related to computers acquire a job that is centered around computers? At the moment, I am self-taught and can easily keep up in a conversation of computer science majors. I also do a decent amount of programming in C, Perl, and Python and have contributed to small open source projects. Would Slashdot users recommend receiving a formal computer science education (only about two years, since the nonsensical general education requirements are already completed) before attempting to get such a job? Anybody else in a similar situation?"
Re:Not really needed (Score:5, Funny)
I actually find myself in the exact opposite situation as the submitter. I have just obtained a bachelors in CS, but I have a deep interest in psychology and was thinking about finding a job in that area. Sure, I may not have the formal training, but I have always been interested in the subject and picked up a few books in the area. I can hold my own in conversations on Freud, Skinner, stages of coping with loss, sour grapes, cognitive dissonance, etc.
I'd like to apply for a job as a psychiatrist, but I'm concerned that employers may find my qualifications lacking. Are there any slashdotters out there who have managed to find employment as a psychiatrist with only a bachelors in a hard science? Any advice on the process? Or, do you think my best shot would be to finish up a quick two year psychology degree (I already have the gen ed stuff done from my CS degree), and then go on to get my Masters and PHD in psychology?